Olympus E-P1 Review Diary – Part 11 – C Mount Glass and Samples VII
One of the most compelling advantages of the micro four thirds system for photo enthusiasts is the ability of the camera to take a wide range of lens mounts. Due to inherent system design (small lens backfocus, smaller imaging circle, etc), it's possible to mount lenses from Leica, old Olympus Zuiko's, Olympus Pen F and a wide range of others. One of the most interesting combinations however is that of the C mount.
C mount lenses are typically found on the old style 16mm movie cameras. Manufactured by mostly European companies, they are exceptionally small / compact, have wonderful optical characteristics (particularly the out of focus area or bokeh), are very fast (large apertures) and look damn cool. I am currently waiting for a number to be delivered to me including a Switar 75mm f/1.9, Switar 25mm f/1.4 and the near legendary Switar 26mm f/1.1. Note that these are all the "native" focal lengths and max apertures. On a micro four thirds, you have to double these measurements, so a 25mm f/1.4 becomes a 50mm f/2.8 equivalent field of a view to the 35mm format.
While I'm waiting for delivery of these lenses however, I am not completely empty handed. I do have an old Angenieux 25mm f/1.4. Angenieux became famous in optical circles for a number of reasons, not least because he designed the fastest lens during the 50's with a f/0.95 maximum aperture. An Angenieux 25mm f/0.95 was also used on Ranger 7 for the first high resolution photos of the moon.
Of course, these lenses are all manual focus. It's an interesting experience, focusing such old classic lenses using an LCD. The connectedness that you lose from a lack of a viewfinder is particularly noticeable although I've managed to quickly get used to it. Despite being somewhat low in resolution compared to competitors, I've actually found the E-P1's LCD screen extremely good for manual focus. That's not to say a higher resolution / sharper screen (or a high res EVF) would be better – but it's certainly functional. Once nice benefit of the E-P1 is the Image Stabilisation benefit that is associated with all old lenses (and a critical consideration for me when looking at the newly announced Panasonic GF1 – but more on this later).
Coming back to the Angenieux 25mm f/1.4 lens, I've really enjoyed using it so far. It has a wonderful "cinematic" feel to it. One downside is the fact that the focusing ring is close to the body and a little awkward to turn. It'd be much better if swapped positions with the aperture ring so that's one thing to consider when looking at old C mount's. BTW the C mount adapter I bought was from Hayata camera in Asakusa – but there are several available online on Ebay.
Another consideration when looking at C mount lenses is how well the lens fits from an imaging circle perspective. Vignetting on the wider angle lenses is particularly noticeable and will occasionally require cropping or shooting in a square format. The minimum reliable focal length appears to be 25mm. In contrast to many other lenses, stopping down aperture on C mounts actually increases the amount of aperture – so I typically tend to shoot wide open (which is the point of these types of glass anyway). The sharpness can be superb – although in reality it's the size, speed, shallow depth of field and out of focus characteristics which results in me leaving C mount's on the E-P1 95% of the time. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that C mount lenses on micro four thirds body may become THE combination of choice for my photography in the future.
I could write a lot more on this topic but will just end with a few samples instead. I'll update with more details once the rest of my glass and adapters arrive. These are all minimally processed and shot with the Olympus E-P1 with an Angenieux 25mm f/1.4 C mount lens:
Shot in square format (set in camera) with B/W film in camera processing on
Shot wide open with focus set to infinity. You can see the noticeable vignetting here which actually adds to the atmosphere in this particular shot
Slightly cropped during processing – shows the OOF effect from a 50mm f/2.8 35mm equivalent lens
Another shot to demonstrate the OOF nature
Candid portrait – again wide open at f/1.4
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Hi. Great review, difficult camera, me too.
Could you tell us which C mount adapter are you using?
I have some old lens from a family Bolex, after this post I really want to try them on the E-P1. Anything I should know before ruining the sensor?
Thanks,
g.
Hi there – the make I bought was from the Hayata shop open in Tokyo and he doesn't sell on ebay. It looks like there are several on ebay though if you search to something similar to the following:
http://cgi.ebay.com/16mm-C-Mount-lens-to-Panasonic-G1-GH1-micro-4-3-adapter_W0QQitemZ250487340940QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLens_Accessories?hash=item3a52357f8c&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14
I can't vouch for them / the supplier personally but things like this should be relatively straightforward to find good versions.
Hi, I liked your review , especially the part with c mount lenses , really intresting. Question : I understand that since we 've got a crop factor 2 a lens focal length must be dubled , but what about aperture? Are you shure that this doubles too? Could you explain the reason? Thanks :-)
Hi everyone,
The reason I bought the pen was to use it on a gigapan epic 100 to create panoramic interactive tours. I've used manual focus lenses on a Canon 40D for many years now and after buying a Canon FD adapter for the Pen was amazed at the Quality of older lenses, my prize being an 8mm fd sigma lens that is pin sharp (only $200 AU!)
The video setting on the Pen is something I wasn't particularly interested in till seeing the results from a 50mm f1.8 Canon FD lens, amazing!
I'm now scouring the internet for recommendations for other manual focus lenses, so would love to hear a wishlist from everyone, as well as links to photos if possible (video even better!)
I use a Graflex Press camera with a home made adapter to hold my Canon 40D instead of a film pack, I'll drop a link with some photos of the Pen attached when I have time to make a new adapter! The Pen is dwarfed by the Graflex! Cheers from NZ!
Great review. I appreciate your efforts. A 3" Hoodman HoodLoupe solves the issue of LCD washout, and also helps considerably with manual focus, especially important with manual lenses. It has an adjustable diopter and gives an unusually large and precise view for focus or review. Very easy and flexible to use.
Some good information. I too am interested in finding M39 and C-mount vintage lenses to try on my E-P1 as soon as the adapter set I ordered comes in. Does anybody know where I can find some reviews/info on the differences between cinema and TV c-mount lenses?
i use pentax auto 110 lenses on the ep1 and the gf-1, they work geat but can only be used open and none is faster than 2.8 i also use a home adapted 50 f 2 nikkor on the m4\3 format as well as some excellent voigtlander lenses a 50 1.5 and 28 1.9
The voitlanders would be fun… for me, this is definitely one of the most exciting aspects of the micro four thirds format (lens compatibility). Interested to see what shots you get with that 28 1.9 – post a link when you have a collection up somewhere.
I have one TV c mount lens (some cheap computar wide angle) and it barely works. Personally I am steering clear of CCTV glass – besides, you can’t beat that funky cinema look. Still, would be interested to see what you find.
Thanks Bill – v interesting, will check that out.
Thanks for this blog, really useful info here – I have a c-mount adapter on my Christmas list! I love the filmic vignetted look these lenses produce.
You’re welcome Katie… you have any lenses to go with it yet?
I’ll be doing a Switar 26mm f/1.1 initial review this weekend
Hello,
I’ve read in your post this :
” On a micro four thirds, you have to double these measurements, so a 25mm f/1.4 becomes a 50mm f/2.8 equivalent field of a view to the 35mm format”.
I’m not sure if what you’re saying is right. The lens speed doesn’t change on 4/3. So a 25mm 1:1.4 become a 50mm 1:1.4.
You can watch c mount video tests on my GH1 here :
http://www.vimeo.com/sebfarges
Hey Seb… yeah this often confuses people. OK so basically a 25mm f1.4 lens mounted on a micro-four-thirds camera gives a field of view equivalent to a 50mm f/2.8 lens. Now, you’re right of course that the speed doesn’t change at all – that always stays the same. But the depth of field is not going to be equivalent to a “true” 50mm f1.4. So, if it’s shallow depth of field you want, it’s a disadvantage when compared to full frame. If however, you want a greater depth of field while retaining the fast lens speed, it’s actually an advantage. Make sense?
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Hi,
Interesting stories. I bought the pen as my ‘backpack camera’. very interested in the possibility to work with a Gigapan panoramic robot. Anyone around that tried it already?
cheers
Charles
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